Professor Mike Spyer appointed new chair of council

Professor Mike Spyer has been appointed chair of council at St George’s, University of London in succession to Mrs Judith Evans.

Prof Spyer has a long and distinguished career in higher education and in healthcare.

A physiologist by training, he graduated from the University of Sheffield and completed his PhD at Birmingham University, where he became a senior research fellow.

He was formerly Dean of the Royal Free and UCL Medical Schools before being appointed asvice-provost for biomedicine at UCL and head of its medical school. He subsequently became UCL’s first vice-provost (enterprise). Professor Spyer was closely involved in UCL’s role in establishing the Francis Crick Institute. He remains an active scientist who has previously chaired the research grant committees and was president of the Physiology Society.

Prof Spyer has held a number of non-executive posts with NHS bodies, including North Middlesex NHS Trust, Royal Free (Hampstead) NHS Trust, the North London NHS Cancer Network Board, North Central Strategic Health Authority and NHS London. In 2011 Prof Spyer became chair of NHS London and held this post until April 2013. Prof Spyer has been a trustee/ director of the Anthony Nolan Trust since 2000 and both a trustee and chair of Lady Gould Charity.

Prof Spyer, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed chair of council at St George’s at this important time in its history. I really look forward to the opportunity to contribute to its further development as a centre of education, research and translation.

“I really want developments to stimulate St George’s students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, to recognise its unique position in the advancement of medicine and medical science.”

Principal of St George’s, Prof Peter Kopelman, commented: “I am delighted that Prof Spyer has joined as St George’s next chair of council. He has an enviable wealth of experience across both higher education and the NHS and his experience in championing collaboration will be a tremendous asset.

“Prof Spyer is a distinguished scientist, entrepreneur and leader whose career demonstrates a unique ability to focus on the delivery of key strategic objectives in complex environments. There is great synergy between Prof Spyer’s experience and St George’s strategic vision and mission.”